Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel has said that the government will improve the training facilities for National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets in the State. Steps will also be adopted to increase the prize money for the winners of various competitions.
He was speaking at a function organised by the NCC Directorate of Kerala and Lakshadweep on Monday to felicitate the cadets who had participated in the Republic Day camp in New Delhi and to present the Education Minister’s banner for the best NCC group.
A 111-cadet strong contingent, led by Contingent Commander Colonel R. Sreekrishna, represented the Directorate in the Republic Day parade.
The Kerala and Lakshadweep Directorate was ranked sixth among the 17 NCC Directorates in the competitions.
Dr. Jaleel stressed the role of NCC cadets in nation building and preserving communal harmony in the country.
They had been in the forefront of anti-drug campaigns, afforestation drives, blood donation drives as well as waste management campaigns. During the recent floods, the NCC succeeded in alleviating the woes of many who were displaced.
The Minister lauded the initiative undertaken by the 33 Kerala Battalion of the NCC in Idukki to construct houses for two underprivileged families within three months.
The Kottayam group of the NCC was adjudged the best group under the Directorate.
Brigadier N.V. Sunil Kumar received the Education Minister’s banner from Dr. Jaleel.
While the Kozhikode group won the runners-up award in the category, the 7 Kerala Girls Battalion was declared the best battalion.
Winners
Salmanul Farez (Best Cadet – Gold medal), S. Sreeranjini (Best Stick Orderly – Gold medal), Naina Kalyani (Best Cadet – Silver medal), Merin Prince Menachery (Silver medal in Remount and Veterinary events) Parvathy R. Nair (Best Cadet – Bronze medal), Sayyid Afreed, M. Tijoy and Shambhavi Singh (Bronze medal in Ship modelling competition), Athira S. Lal (Director General NCC Commendation card), Alen Kuriakose (DG NCC medallion), G.K. Gopika and Major Shashi Mehta (Chief of Army Staff appreciation memento), and Lt. Geethika (DG NCC medallion) were felicitated.
Major General B.G. Gilganchi, Additional Director General of NCC Directorate (Kerala and Lakshadweep) and Deputy Director General Brigadier S.L. Joshi spoke .
Governor’s reception
Governor P. Sathasivam will accord a formal reception to the cadets at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.
